Process of Producing Phosphinothricin Employing Nitrilases

ABSTRACT

The present invention generally relates to processes for the enzymatic production of a phosphinothricin product or precursor thereof from a nitrile-containing substrate.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to processes for the enzymatic production of a phosphinothricin product or precursor thereof from a nitrile-containing substrate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

D,L-phosphinothricin (commonly referred to as glufosinate) and its salts and esters are known to be useful as a broad spectrum, non-selective herbicide. The ammonium salt of phosphinothricin is the most common commercially available form. The herbicidal efficacy of L-phosphinothricin or salts and esters thereof is generally about twice that of other stereoisomers, thereby generally requiring a reduced proportion of herbicide to provide the desired effect. Thus, the use of the L-stereoisomer is economically and ecologically advantageous.

Various multistep processes to prepare phosphinothricin are known in the art. For example, some routes utilize phosphorus trichloride to produce a phosphinate precursor, which is subjected to hydroformylation-aminocarbonylation, followed by hydrolysis to produce phosphinothricin. In particular, one process for producing phosphinothricin generally comprises converting phosphorus trichloride to methylphosphonous dichloride or a derivative thereof. The methylphosphonous dichloride or derivative thereof is then reacted with methanol to form methyl methylphosphinate. Methyl methylphosphinate is then reacted with vinylic compounds (e.g., vinyl acetate) to form an intermediate (e.g., 2-(methoxy(methyl)phosphoryl)ethyl acetate). The resulting intermediate is pyrolyzed to prepare a vinylphosphinate precursor. The vinylphosphinate precursor is subjected to hydroformylation-aminocarbonylation, followed by hydrolysis of the hydroformylation-aminocarbonylation product in the presence of hydrochloric acid to produce phosphinothricin.

Another process of producing phosphinothricin generally comprises converting phosphorus trichloride to an adduct of methylphosphonous trichloride and aluminum tetrachloride (i.e., CH₃PCl₃.AlCl₄). The adduct is reacted with ethylene to form an intermediate adduct, which is then reacted with ethanol to form ethyl 1-(2-chloroethyl)-methylphosphinate. This compound is reacted with potassium hydroxide and ethanol to prepare an ethyl vinylphosphinate precursor. The ethyl vinylphosphinate precursor is subjected to hydroformylation-aminocarbonylation, followed by hydrolysis of the hydroformylation-aminocarbonylation product in the presence of hydrochloric acid to produce phosphinothricin.

Other processes for producing phosphinothricin are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,521,348; 6,335,186; and 6,359,162.

Although processes for the preparation of phosphinothricin are known in the art, there exists a need for a process that represents an improvement in process economics by virtue of requiring fewer process steps and fewer reagents than conventional processes. There also exists a need for an economical stereoselective process that preferentially produces L-phosphinothricin products or precursors thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, therefore, the present invention is directed to processes for the enzymatic production of a phosphinothricin product or precursor thereof from a nitrile-containing substrate.

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to processes for the production of a phosphinothricin product or precursor thereof comprising contacting in a reaction mixture a nitrile-containing substrate with an enzyme capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of —CN to —COX, wherein X is —OH or —NH₂. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to processes believed to be stereoselective for the production of L-phosphinothricin products or precursors thereof.

In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to processes for the preparation of a phosphinothricin product or precursor thereof. In one embodiment, the process comprises contacting in a reaction mixture a nitrile-containing substrate of Formula I

with an enzyme capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of —CN to —COX, wherein X is either —OH or —NH₂; and wherein

R¹ is hydrogen, —C(O)R⁴, or substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl;

R² is hydrogen, —C(O)R⁴, —C(O)R⁵, or substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl; or R¹ and R² are part of a heterocyclic ring;

R³ is hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or an agronomically acceptable salt-forming cation; and

R⁴ and R⁵ are independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkoxy, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or substituted or unsubstituted furanyl.

In another embodiment, the process comprises:

(a) reacting acrolein with a compound of Formula II,

thereby forming a compound of Formula III;

(b) reacting the compound of Formula III with a cyanide source and an ammonia source, thereby forming a nitrile-containing substrate of Formula IV,

wherein R³ is hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or an agronomically acceptable salt-forming cation; and

(c) contacting in a reaction mixture the nitrile-containing substrate of Formula IV with an enzyme capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of a —CN to —COX, wherein X is either —OH or —NH₂, thereby forming a phosphinothricin product or precursor thereof.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is directed to processes for the preparation of N-formyl substrates, which are useful in the production of phosphinothricin products or precursors thereof.

In one embodiment, the process comprises:

(a) reacting a compound of Formula III,

with a cyanide source and an ammonia source, thereby forming a nitrile-containing substrate of Formula IV,

(b) reacting the nitrile-containing substrate of Formula IV with one or more formylation reagents, thereby producing an N-formyl substrate of Formula V,

(c) contacting in a reaction mixture the N-formyl substrate of Formula V with an enzyme capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of —CN to —COX, wherein X is either —OH or —NH; thereby producing a compound of Formula VII

wherein R³ is hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted (C₁-C₈) alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or an agronomically acceptable salt-forming cation; and

(d) hydrolyzing the compound of Formula VII to form a phosphinothricin product or precursor thereof.

The present invention is further directed to nitrile-containing compounds of Formula V

wherein R³ is hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or an agronomically acceptable salt-forming cation.

The present invention is still further directed to compounds having the structure of Formula VII

wherein X is either —OH or —NH₂ and R³ is hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted (C₁-C₈) alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or an agronomically acceptable salt-forming cation.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to novel enzymes capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of —CN to —COX, wherein X is —OH or —NH₂ and novel gene sequences that encode a nitrilase, which are useful in the enzymatic production of a phosphinothricin product or precursor thereof.

Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is plasmid map pJexpress401:31491.

FIG. 2 shows high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) results for the conversion of N-formyl nitrile phosphinic ester to N-formyl acid phosphinic ester determined as described in Example 3.

INCORPORATION OF SEQUENCE LISTING

A sequence listing created using PatentIn Version 3.5 is being submitted herewith by electronic submission and is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

SEQ ID NO: 1 is a nucleotide sequence encoding a R. rhodochrous nitrilase.

SEQ ID NO: 2 is a nucleotide sequence encoding an A. faecalis nitrilase.

SEQ ID NO: 3 is a nucleotide sequence encoding an A. thaliana nitrilase.

SEQ ID NO: 4 is a nucleotide sequence encoding a B. campestris nitrilase.

SEQ ID NO: 5 is a nucleotide sequence encoding a B. campestris nitrilase.

SEQ ID NO: 6 is a nucleotide sequence encoding a P. fluorescens nitrilase.

SEQ ID NO: 7 is a nucleotide sequence for a plasmid pSEA99.

SEQ ID NO: 8 is a nucleotide sequence for a plasmid pSEA100.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Described herein are processes for the enzymatic production of a phosphinothricin product or a precursor thereof (e.g., a compound of Formula VI described elsewhere herein). Processes of the present invention generally comprise contacting a nitrile-containing substrate (e.g., a compound of Formula I detailed elsewhere herein) with an enzyme capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of a nitrile group (e.g., a nitrilase or a nitrile hydratase). Further described herein are processes for the preparation of N-formyl substrates suitable for use in the preparation of a phosphinothricin product or precursor thereof. Advantageously, the enzymatic processes of the present invention require reduced processing and/or reduced raw materials as compared to conventional processes.

Also described herein are processes for the preparation of phosphinothricin products or precursors thereof that are believed to be stereoselective and preferentially produce L-phosphinothricin products or precursors. L-phosphinothricin products are known to exhibit greater herbicidal efficacy than other phosphinothricin stereoisomers. Thus, processes of the present invention are believed to provide greater yields of herbicidally active compounds over conventional processes.

Moreover, described herein are novel compounds useful as intermediates in the preparation of a phosphinothricin product or precursor thereof. Also described herein are novel phosphinothricin precursors useful for the preparation of a phosphinothricin product (e.g. the acid of phosphinothricin).

Further described herein are novel enzymes and novel gene sequences that encode nitrilases, which are useful in the preparation of a phosphinothricin product or precursor thereof.

I. Substrates

In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to processes for preparing a phosphinothricin product or precursor thereof that comprise contacting in a reaction mixture a nitrile-containing substrate with an enzyme capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of —CN to —COX, wherein X is —OH or —NH₂.

Suitable nitrile-containing substrates include substrates of Formula I:

wherein

(i) R¹ is hydrogen, —C(O)R⁴, or substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl;

(ii) R² is hydrogen, —C(O)R⁴, —C(O)R⁵, or substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl; or R¹ and R² are part of a heterocyclic ring;

(iii) R³ is hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or an agronomically acceptable salt-forming cation; and

(iv) R⁴ and R⁵ are independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkoxy, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or substituted or unsubstituted furanyl.

As used herein, an “agronomically acceptable salt-forming cation” is defined as a salt-forming cation that allows agriculturally and economically useful herbicidal activity of a phosphinothricin anion. Such a cation may be, for example, an alkaline or alkaline earth metal cation (e.g., a sodium or potassium ion), an ammonium ion, an alkylammonium ion, a dialkylammonium ion, or trialkylammonium ion, or other metal cation such as copper, zinc, nickel, manganese and iron. In various embodiments, the salt-forming cation is an ammonium cation.

Often R¹ and R² are each hydrogen. In various embodiments, R¹, R², R⁴ and R⁵ are independently hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl and R³ is hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl.

In still further embodiments, R² is —C(O)R⁴ and R⁴ is hydrogen. In other embodiments, R² is —C(O)R⁴ and R⁴ is substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkoxy and more preferably C₁ or C₂ alkoxy.

In various embodiments, R³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or an agronomically acceptable salt-forming cation. In various preferred embodiments, R³ is C₁-C₈ alkyl and more preferably methyl or ethyl. In other embodiments, R³ is hydrogen. In still other embodiments, R³ is a salt-forming ammonium cation.

Further, in various preferred embodiments, R¹ and R² are each hydrogen and R³ is ethyl. In other preferred embodiments, R¹ is hydrogen, R² is —C(O)R⁴, R³ is ethyl, and R⁴ is hydrogen. In still other preferred embodiments, R² is —C(O)R⁴ and R¹, R³, and R⁴ are each hydrogen.

R¹ and R² may be part of a heterocyclic ring. For example, in certain embodiments, when R¹ is —C(O)R⁴ and R² is —C(O)R⁵, R⁴ and R⁵ may be bonded to form a heterocyclic ring. In various other embodiments, when R¹ and R² are each —C(O)R⁴, R¹ and R² may be bonded to form a cyclic imide.

The nitrile-containing substrate as described above may be produced according to various processes. For example, in one process, acrolein is reacted with a phosphinate compound of Formula II,

thereby forming a compound of Formula III

wherein R³ in Formula II and Formula III is defined as described above for Formula I.

Further in accordance with these processes, compounds of Formula III are reacted with a cyanide source (e.g., NaCN) and an ammonia source according to a Strecker synthesis to form a nitrile-containing substrate of Formula IV, which proceeds according to the following reaction:

wherein R³ in Formula III and Formula IV is defined as described above for Formula I.

The nitrile-containing substrate of Formula IV produced by the Strecker synthesis can then be enzymatically hydrolyzed according to the process of the present invention by contacting in a reaction mixture (e.g., an aqueous medium) the nitrile-containing substrate (Formula IV) with an enzyme capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of —CN to —COX, wherein X is —OH or —NH₂. In various embodiments, the enzymatic hydrolysis of the nitrile-containing substrate forms a phosphinothricin product.

Additionally or alternatively, the nitrile-containing substrate produced from the above Strecker synthesis (Formula IV) may be subjected to further reaction (e.g., alkylation or formylation) wherein, for example, at least one hydrogen of the primary amine group may be substituted. In various embodiments the substrate of Formula IV is further reacted with one or more formylation reagents to form an N-formyl substrate according to the following reaction:

wherein R³ in Formula IV and Formula V is defined as described above for Formula I.

A number of different formylation reagents may be used in this reaction. Typically, the one or more formylation reagents are selected from the group consisting of formic acid, acetic anhydride, ethyl formate, N-formyl benzotriazole, dichloromethane, and combinations thereof. In various embodiments, the one or more formylation reagents include formic acid and acetic anhydride. In various other embodiments, the one or more formylation reagents include ethyl formate. In still further embodiments, the one or more formylation reagents include N-formyl benzotriazole and dichloromethane.

Generally, regardless of the particular formylation reagents, the formylation reaction temperature is from about 0° C. to about 100° C., preferably from about 0° C. to about 50° C., and more preferably from about 0° C. to about 20° C.

II. Enzymatic Hydrolysis

Generally in accordance with the present invention, nitrile-containing substrates of Formula I may be contacted in a reaction mixture with an enzyme capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of —CN to —COX, wherein X is —OH or —NH₂, thereby forming a phosphinothricin product or precursor thereof having the structure of Formula VI

wherein X is either —OH or —NH₂ and R¹, R², and R³ are defined as described above for Formula I. In various preferred embodiments, X is —OH. In various other embodiments, X is —NH₂.

Typically, the reaction mixture comprises an aqueous medium. In various embodiments, the reaction mixture comprises an organic solvent. Suitable organic solvents include, for example, various aqueous miscible solvents known in the art, such as acetone, methyl-ethyl ketone, alcohols (e.g., methanol, ethanol, butanol, etc.), acetonitrile, methylene chloride, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, dimethyl formamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, pyridine, substituted pyridines, etc. Aqueous/organic mixtures (volume/volume) may contain as low as about 1% v/v water or up to about 95% v/v water (e.g., between about 5% v/v to about 90% v/v water).

Additionally or alternatively, the reaction mixture may comprise an aqueous immiscible solvent that provides a biphasic reaction mixture. These aqueous immiscible solvents include, for example, various ethers (e.g., diethyl, di-isopropyl, methyl-tert-butyl, etc.), esters (e.g., ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, propyl acetate, etc.), and substituted benzenes (e.g., toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, etc.).

When R¹ or R² are each hydrogen and X is —OH, the compound of Formula VI is a phosphinothricin product (i.e., the acid or a salt or ester thereof). A salt of Formula VI is formed when either R³ or the —OH group (when X is —OH) is replaced with an agronomically acceptable salt-forming cation. Additionally or alternatively, a di-salt of Formula VI may be formed when R³ and the —OH group (when X is —OH) are replaced with an agronomically acceptable salt-forming cation. An ester of Formula VI is formed when either R³ or the —OH group (when X is —OH) is replaced with a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl. Similarly, a di-ester of Formula VI may be formed when R³ and the —OH group (when X is —OH) are replaced with a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl.

Generally, the phosphinothricin product or precursor thereof of Formula VI may be further hydrolyzed when at least one R¹, R², or R³ are not hydrogen.

In various other embodiments, when X is —NH₂, the compound of Formula VI may be further hydrolyzed to convert the —NH₂ to —OH. Hydrolysis of —NH₂ may be conducted according to conventional methods known in the art. Hydrolysis may also be accomplished by enzymatic means. For example, an enzyme comprising an amidase may be used to catalyze the hydrolysis of —NH₂ to —OH in accordance with the present invention.

In various preferred embodiments, a phosphinothricin product or precursor thereof may be prepared from the above-described N-formyl substrate (Formula V) in accordance with the present invention by contacting in a reaction mixture the N-formyl substrate with an enzyme capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of —CN to —COX, wherein X is either —OH or —NH₂, thereby forming a compound of Formula VII or a salt or ester thereof

wherein R³ is defined as described above for Formula I. The formyl group of Formula VII is then hydrolyzed to form a phosphinothricin product (i.e., the acid or a salt or ester thereof).

In general, the reactions described above may be conducted in either a batch, semi-batch or continuous reactor system. The reactor system may include one or more stirred tank reactors, fluidized bed reactors, or plug flow reactors. Moreover, the reactors may be configured in series or in parallel. In various embodiments, the enzymatic hydrolysis of the nitrile-containing substrate is conducted in one or more stirred tank reactors.

Generally, the enzymatic hydrolysis is conducted at a temperature of at least about 10° C. or at least about 20° C. Typically, the enzymatic hydrolysis is conducted at a temperature from about 10° C. to about 100° C., more typically from about 20° C. to about 80° C., from about 20° C. to about 60° C., or from about 20° C. to about 40° C. (e.g., about 30° C.).

Typically, the enzymatic hydrolysis is conducted at a pressure of at least about 100 kiloPascals (kPa). For example, the enzymatic hydrolysis is typically conducted at a pressure from about 100 kPa to about 1000 kPa, more preferably from about 100 kPa to about 500 kPa, and still more preferably from about 100 kPa to about 200 kPa (e.g., from about 100 kPa to about 150 kPa).

Generally, the pH of the reaction mixture is at least about 2. In various embodiments, the pH of reaction mixture is from about 2 to about 10 and preferably from about 4 to about 8.

Production of a phosphinothricin product or precursor thereof in accordance with the present invention produces both D- and L-stereoisomers. As noted, various embodiments of the present invention are directed to enzymatic hydrolysis processes for the preparation of phosphinothricin products or precursors thereof that are believed to be stereoselective, preferentially producing L-phosphinothricin products and precursors thereof. These processes are believed to generally comprise dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of D-stereoisomers of Formula I, which results in the preferential preparation of the L-stereoisomers of the phosphinothricin products or precursors thereof. Without being bound to a particular theory, it is currently believed that the presence of the enzyme may reduce the free energy of reaction of the L-stereoisomer of Formula I such that its hydrolysis to the resulting carboxylic acid or amine proceeds at a greater rate than the competing hydrolysis of the D-stereoisomer. Additionally or alternatively, without being bound by theory, it is also currently believed that the enzyme may preferentially react with the L-stereoisomer of Formula I such that hydrolysis of the preferred L-stereoisomer of Formula I proceeds at a greater rate than hydrolysis of D-stereoisomer

In various embodiments, it is believed that reaction conditions and/or components of the reaction mixture may promote dynamic kinetic resolution, resulting in the isomerization of the alpha amine group according to the following scheme:

wherein R¹, R², and R³ are defined as described above for Formula I. Reaction conditions that may promote the above isomerization include the pH (e.g., within from about 2 to about 10) and temperature (within from about 20° C. to about 60° C.) of the reaction mixture. Thus, the processes of the present invention may include adjusting and/or maintaining either or both of these conditions within a preferred range. Additionally or alternatively, various components may be added to the reaction mixture to promote the above isomerization. These compounds are believed to include one or more metals, organic compounds (e.g., aldehydes), and/or organic bases (e.g., pyridine, triethyl amine, etc.).

The processes of the present invention typically provide a product mixture, or slurry comprising D- and L-stereoisomers of the phosphinothricin product or precursor thereof. Regardless of the precise mechanism by which it occurs, it is further believed that the processes of the present invention result in a product mixture containing an excess of the L-phosphinothricin product or precursor thereof over D-phosphinothricin product or precursor thereof. That is, typically, the weight ratio of the L-phosphinothricin product or precursor thereof to the D-phosphinothricin product or precursor thereof is believed to be greater than about 1:1 (e.g., greater than 1:1), greater than about 2:1 or greater than about 5:1. Preferably, the weight ratio of the L-phosphinothricin product or precursor thereof to the D-phosphinothricin product or precursor thereof in the product mixture is believed to be greater than about 10:1, or even greater than about 20:1.

The enzymatic hydrolysis processes of the present invention are also believed to provide a higher yield of the L-phosphinothricin product or precursor thereof. Typically, the yield of the L-phosphinothricin product or precursor thereof is believed to be greater than about 10%, greater than about 20%, greater than about 30%, greater than about 40%, or greater than about 50%. Preferably, the yield of the L-phosphinothricin product or precursor thereof is believed to be greater than about 60% greater than about 70%, greater than about 80%, or greater than about 90%.

III. Product Recovery

The phosphinothricin product or precursor thereof may be recovered from the product mixture or slurry by one or more conventional methods known in the art including, for example, precipitation, solvent extraction, and chromatographic separation. In those processes in which precipitation is utilized, the pH is typically adjusted by addition of acid or base to precipitate the zwitterions or by addition of a salt, such as ammonia which forms the ammonium salt. Additionally or alternatively, phosphinothricin product may be recovered from the product mixture utilizing chromatographic separation methods including, for example, cation exchange chromatography in which the product mixture is contacted with a bed of cation exchange resin.

The phosphinothricin product or precursor thereof produced by the processes of the present invention may be subjected to further processing including purification, concentration, drying, granulation, etc., according to means known in the art.

IV. Herbicidal Formulations

The phosphinothricin products produced by the processes of the present invention are useful as herbicidal agents. Phosphinothricin products (i.e., glufosinate or salts or esters thereof) prepared and recovered in accordance with the present invention may be included in herbicidal formulations along with various other components in accordance with methods known in the art. Typically, glufosinate is formulated in the form of its ammonium salt. Formulations of glufosinate or its salts or esters thereof may include other components such as surfactants, stabilizers, and/or co-herbicides, fungicides, or pesticides.

V. Enzymes

Enzymes that are capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of —CN to —COX, wherein X is either —OH or —NH₂ are suitable for use in the present invention. Suitable examples of such enzymes include, for example, nitrilases, nitrile hydratases, mixtures of nitrile hydratases and amidases, and mixtures thereof. Nitrilases are capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of —CN to —OH. Nitrile hydratases are capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of —CN to —NH₂, which then can be subsequently hydrolyzed to —OH by either conventional hydrolysis or by enzymatic hydrolysis. Enzymes useful for catalyzing the hydrolysis of —NH₂ to —OH comprise amidases. Accordingly, a mixture of nitrile hydratase and amidase is capable of hydrolyzing —CN to —OH.

Thus, in various embodiments of the process described herein, the process comprises the use of a nitrilase. In other embodiments, the process comprises the use of a nitrile hydratase. In still other embodiments, the process comprises the use of a mixture of nitrile hydratase and amidase. In various other embodiments, the process comprises the use of a mixture of nitrilase and nitrile hydratase. Still further embodiments, the process comprises the use of a mixture of nitrilase, nitrile hydratase, and amidase.

Suitable enzymes that are capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of —CN to —COX, wherein X is either —OH or —NH₂ may be obtained from any number of sources or by any number of methods. For example, the enzymes may be obtained from a source organism, such as a eukaryote or prokaryote which naturally expresses or produces the enzyme (i.e., a source organism to which the enzyme is endogenous). Examples of suitable eukaryotes include species from the genera Arabidopsis, Nicotiana, and Brassica, and include the particular species A. thaliana, N. tabacum, B. campestris, B. napaus, Aspergillus, Trichoderma, Saccharomyces, Pichia, Candida, and Hansenula. Examples of suitable prokaryotes include species from the genera of Salmonella, Bacillus, Acinetobacter, Zymomonas, Agrobacterium, Erythrobacter Chlorobium, Chromatium, Flavobacterium, Cytophaga, Rhodobacter, Rhodococcus, Streptomyces, Brevibacterium, Corynebacteria, Mycobacterium, Deinococcus, Escherichia, Erwinia, Pantoea, Pseudomonas, Sphingomonas, Methylomonas, Methylobacter, Methylococcus, Methylosinus, Methylomicrobium, Methylocystis, Methylobacterium, Alcaligenes, Synechocystis, Synechococcus, Anabaena, Thiobacillus, Methanobacterium, Klebsiella, Myxococcus, and Staphylococcus, and include the particular species of P. putida, P. fluorescens, R. rhodochrous, R. erythropolis, R. equi, R. chloroaphis, A. faecalis, and E. coli.

Alternatively, the enzyme may be obtained from a source organism that has been manipulated to produce the enzyme (i.e., a source organism to which the enzyme is exogenous). That is to say, the enzyme of interest may be produced in heterologous host cells, particularly microbial host cells.

Preferred heterologous microbial host cells for expression of targeted enzymes are microbial hosts that can be found broadly within the fungal or bacterial families and which grow over a wide range of temperature, pH values, and solvent tolerances. For example, any bacteria, yeast, and filamentous fungi will be suitable hosts for expression of the genes encoding the enzyme of interest. Because transcription, translation, and the protein biosynthetic apparatus are the same irrespective of the cellular feedstock, targeted genes are expressed irrespective of carbon feedstock used to generate cellular biomass. Large-scale microbial growth and functional gene expression may utilize a wide range of simple or complex carbohydrates, organic acids and alcohols, and saturated hydrocarbons such as methane, or carbon dioxide in the case of photosynthetic or chemoautotrophic hosts. However, the targeted genes may be regulated (up or down), repressed or depressed by specific growth conditions, which may include the form and amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, oxygen, carbon or any trace micronutrient including small inorganic ions. In addition, the regulation of targeted genes may be achieved by the presence or absence of specific regulatory molecules that are added to the culture and are not typically considered nutrient or energy sources.

Prokaryotic, and more preferably microbial, expression systems and expression vectors containing regulatory sequences that direct high level expression of foreign proteins, as well as eukaryotic expression systems and expression vectors containing regulatory sequences that direct high level expression of foreign proteins, are well known to those skilled in the art. Any of these could be used to construct genes for expression of the present nitrilase, nitrile hydratase, and/or amidase enzymes. These genes could then be introduced into appropriate microorganism cells via transformation to provide high-level expression of the enzymes.

For example, introduction of targeted genes encoding the instant targeted enzymes (e.g., nitrilase, nitrile hydratase, and/or amidase enzymes) under the control of the appropriate promoter will demonstrate increased nitrile to amide and/or carboxylic acid conversion. It is contemplated that it will be useful to express the targeted genes both in a natural host cell, as well as in a heterologous host cell. Introduction of targeted genes into native hosts will result in altered levels of existing nitrilase, nitrile hydratase and amidase activity. Additionally, targeted genes may also be introduced into non-native hosts where an existing nitrile-amide-carboxylic acid pathway may be manipulated.

Vectors or cassettes, preferably plasmids, useful for the transformation of suitable host cells are well known in the art. Typically the vector or cassette contains sequences directing transcription and translation of the relevant gene, a selectable marker, and sequences allowing autonomous replication or chromosomal integration. Suitable vectors comprise a region 5′ of the targeted gene which harbors transcriptional initiation controls and a region 3′ of the DNA fragment which controls transcriptional termination. It is most preferred that both control regions are derived from genes homologous to the transformed host cell, although it is to be understood that such control regions need not be derived from the genes native to the specific species chosen as a production host.

Initiation control regions or promoters, which are useful to drive expression of the instant open reading frame (ORF) in the desired microbial host cell are numerous and familiar to those skilled in the art. Virtually any promoter capable of driving these genes is suitable for the present invention, including, but not limited, to CYC1, HIS3, GAL1, GAL10, ADH1, PGK, PHO5, GAPDH, ADC1, TRP1, URA3, LEU2, ENO, TPI (useful for expression in Saccharomyces); AOX1 (useful for expression in Pichia); and lac, ara, tet, trp, IP_(L), IP_(R), T7, tac, and trc (useful for expression in Escherichia coli) as well as the amy, apr, npr promoters and various phage promoters useful for expression in Bacillus. Additionally, the deoxy-xylulose phosphate synthase or methanol dehydrogenase operon promoter (Springer et al., FEMS Microbiol Lett 160:119 124 (1998)), the promoter for polyhydroxyalkanoic acid synthesis (Foellner et al., Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 40:284 291 (1993)), promoters identified from native plasmids in methylotrophs (EP 296484), promoters identified from methanotrophs (WO 2004/037998), and promoters associated with antibiotic resistance (e.g., kanamycin (Springer et al., supra; Ueda et al., Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 57:924 926 (1991)) or tetracycline (U.S. Pat. No. 4,824,786)) are suitable for expression of the present coding sequences, especially in C1 metabolizers.

The vector or expression cassette comprising the targeted gene and a promoter can also typically include a marker gene which confers a selectable phenotype on the host cell. For example, the marker can encode antibiotic resistance, such as resistance to kanamycin, ampicillin, chloramphenicol, etc. In addition, plasmids can be maintained by auxotrophic methods resulting from the deletion of an essential gene from the host strain and complementing it by inclusion of the essential gene in plasmid containing the targeted gene.

Methods of manipulating genetic pathways are common and well known in the art. Selected genes in a particular pathway may be up-regulated or down-regulated by a variety of methods.

Specific genes may be up-regulated to increase the output of the desired nitrilase, nitrile hydratase, and amidase enzymes. For example, additional copies of the targeted genes (i.e., the genes encoding the desired enzymes) may be introduced into the host cell on multicopy plasmids such as pBR322, pUC and the like. Alternatively, the genes may be modified so as to be under the control of non-native promoters. Where it is desired that a pathway operate at a particular point in a cell cycle or during a fermentation run, regulated or inducible promoters may be used to replace the native promoter of the target gene. Similarly, in some cases the native or endogenous promoter may be modified to increase gene expression. For example, endogenous promoters can be altered in vivo by mutation, deletion, and/or substitution (see, Kmiec, U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,350; Zarling et al., WO 93/22443).

Vectors and constructs can be introduced into the genome of a desired host, such as, for example, either yeast or microbial host, by a variety of conventional techniques. For reviews of such techniques see, for example, Weissbach & Weissbach Methods for Plant Molecular Biology (1988, Academic Press, N.Y.) Section VIII, pp. 421-463; and Grierson & Corey, Plant Molecular Biology (1988, 2d Ed.), Blackie, London.

The enzymes useful in the present invention may be used in an isolated or purified form or in a whole cell form. Thus, the enzymes may be isolated from the source or host cell and used directly in an enzymatic hydrolysis by combining the enzyme with the nitrile-containing substrate, for instance, in a reaction mixture. Likewise, the enzymes may be synthesized in a purified form by means of peptide syntheses well known in the art. Thus, in one embodiment of the process described herein, the process comprises the use of an isolated or purified form of a nitrilase, nitrile hydratase, mixture of nitrilase and amidase, or mixtures thereof. In another embodiment, the process comprises the use of an isolated or purified form of a nitrilase, a nitrile hydratase, a mixture of nitrile hydratase and amidase, or mixtures thereof, and a co-factor for the activation or proper or sustained function of the enzyme. In various embodiments, the isolated or purified form of the enzyme is a nucleic acid molecule encoding a nitrilase capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of —CN to —COX wherein X is —OH or —NH₂ and the molecule comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, and SEQ ID NO: 6.

In other embodiments, the nucleic acid molecule is contained in a vector. In various embodiments, the vector comprises a nucleic acid molecule selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, and SEQ ID NO: 6. In other embodiments, the vector may be the plasmid pSEA99 represented by SEQ ID NO: 7 or the plasmid pSEA100 represented by SEQ ID NO: 8. The nucleic acid molecules of the present invention may also be in a host cell. Thus, in various embodiments the host cell comprises a nucleic acid molecule selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, and SEQ ID NO: 6. In other embodiments, the host cell comprises a vector comprising a nucleic acid molecule selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, and SEQ ID NO: 6. In particular embodiments, the vector may be the plasmid pSEA99 represented by SEQ ID NO: 7 or the plasmid pSEA100 represented by SEQ ID NO: 8.

The nucleic acid molecules of the present invention encode nitrilase proteins. In various embodiments, the protein comprises a polypeptide sequence encoded by the nucleic acid molecule selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, and SEQ ID NO: 6.

In another embodiment, the process comprises the use of an enzyme encoded by a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, or SEQ ID NO: 6. In certain embodiments, the enzyme is encoded by a nucleotide sequence contained in a vector, and in particular the plasmid pSEA99 represented by SEQ ID NO: 7 or the plasmid pSEA100 represented by SEQ ID NO: 8.

Alternatively, the enzymes may be utilized as part of a whole cell enzymatic hydrolysis. In such an instance, the source or host organism containing or producing the enzyme of interest is combined directly with the nitrile-containing substrate, for instance, in a reaction mixture. Use of a whole cell procedure is generally preferred, as this typically negates the necessity of providing any additional co-factors needed for activation of and/or proper and sustained enzyme function, those co-factors being present in or produced by the source or host cell. In addition, operational steps in the lysis and enzyme isolation are avoided thereby reducing the downstream processing costs. Thus, in various embodiments of the process described herein, the process comprises the use of a whole cell procedure comprising combining or contacting the nitrile-containing substrate with a source or host cell that contains, produces, or expresses a nitrilase, nitrile hydratase, and/or amidase.

Various enzyme formulations can be used to perform the enzymatic hydrolysis in any of the above reaction mixtures (e.g., an aqueous reaction mixture or aqueous/organic mixture). These include cell free enzyme lysates, intact microorganisms that contain native levels of the desired activity, or recombinant microorganisms that over express a foreign (or native) gene from a plasmid or from a genomic insertion.

The enzymes can be used in unmodified forms as in the case of crude protein mixtures containing the desired protein, semi-purified protein formulations, or in immobilized forms. Protein immobilization can be done according to various published methods known to those skilled in the art including, for example, covalent attachment in various solid supports, entrapment in polymers by copolymerization with alginate, carrageenan, or other synthetic polymers, as well as cross-linking using various agents such as glutaraldehyde for the formation of cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEAs) (See, for example, “Immobilization of Enzymes and Cells” 2^(nd) Ed, Edited Jose M. Guisan, 2006 Humana Press; Brady, D. Jordan, J. Biotechnol. Lett. 2009, 31, 1639; Sheldon, R. A. Adv. Synth. Catal. 2007, 349, 1289), the entire content of each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all relevant purposes.

Similarly, whole cells containing the desired activity can be immobilized in various materials such as alginate, carrageenan, and other polymeric supports following methods described in the literature and known by those skilled in the art (See, for example, “Immobilization of Enzymes and Cells” 2^(nd) Ed, Edited: Jose M. Guisan, 2006 Humana Press; DiCosimo R. et al Org. Proc. Res. Devel. 2002, 6, 492; DiCosimo, R. et al Adv. Synth. Catal. 2008, 350, 1761), the entire content each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all relevant purposes.

VI. Definitions

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “C₁-C₈ alkyl” as used herein contains from 1 to 8 carbon atoms in the principal chain. They may be straight or branched chain or cyclic and include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, hexyl, 2-ethylhexyl, and the like.

The term “aryl” as used herein denotes optionally substituted homocyclic aromatic groups, preferably monocyclic or bicyclic groups containing from 6 to 12 carbons in the ring portion, such as phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, substituted phenyl, substituted biphenyl or substituted naphthyl. Phenyl and substituted phenyl are the more preferred aryl.

Alkyl and aryl groups can be substituted with at least one atom other than carbon, including moieties in which a carbon chain atom is substituted with a hetero atom such as nitrogen, oxygen, silicon, phosphorus, boron, sulfur, or a halogen atom. These substituents include, for example, hydroxy, nitro, amino, amido, nitro, cyano, sulfoxide, thiol, thioester, thioether, ester and ether.

The term “heterocyclic ring” as used herein denotes optionally substituted, fully saturated or unsaturated, monocyclic or bicyclic, aromatic or nonaromatic groups having at least one heteroatom in at least one ring (i.e., nitrogen), and preferably 5 or 6 atoms in each ring (e.g., cyclic imides).

The following non-limiting examples are provided to further illustrate the present invention.

EXAMPLES

Plasmids were prepared by cloning synthetic genes into the commercial plasmid vector pJExpress 401 (DNA2.0) (FIG. 1). For both pSEA099 and pSEA100 the synthetic genes were designed to optimize codon usage for expression in E. coli. The synthetic genes were constructed and cloned into the pJexpress vector by DNA2.0. The cloning was performed by digesting the synthetic gene with NdeI (5′) and Hind III (3′) and ligating at the same sites in the pJexpress vector. The plasmid sequences for pSEA099 and pSEA100 are SEQ ID NOS: 7 and 8, respectively. The plasmids also contain a pUC origin for replication, Kanamycin resistance, and LacI gene for controlling expression with isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG).

Example 1 Preparation of Nitrilase Protein for Reaction with N-Formyl Nitrile Phosphinic Ester

A 10 mL LB/Kanamycin (50 μg/mL Kanamycin) solution was inoculated with a colony of E. coli BL21/pSEA100. After culturing for 16 hours at approximately 37° C., the culture was transferred to a 2.8 L baffled Erlenmeyer flask containing 1 L of LB/Kan. Cells were incubated at 37° C. in a shake oven (200 rpm shaking) to a cell density of OD₆₀₀=0.8 before decreasing the temperature to approximately 25° C. and adding 1 mM of IPTG. After 16 hours of growth following IPTG induction, cells were harvested via centrifugation at 7,000×g for about 20 minutes. The cell pellet was resuspended in 50 mL assay buffer (50 mM potassium phosphate pH 7.5, 1 mM of dithiothreitol (DTT)) and cells were lysed by sonication. Cell debris was removed via centrifugation at 35,000×g for 60 minutes.

The previous clear lysate (approximately 20 mg/mL total protein, >50% nitrilase) was brought to 20% saturation with ammonium sulfate. After stirring on ice for about 2 hours, the precipitated protein was removed by centrifugation at 35,000×g for 60 minutes. Ammonium sulfate was added to the remainder of the supernatant incrementally to 30% saturation while stirring on ice for 2 hours. The precipitated protein (obtained by centrifugation at 35,000×g for 60 minutes) was redissolved in assay buffer to a 20 mg/mL protein concentration (>80% nitrilase in this solution).

Example 2 Reaction of N-Formyl Nitrile Phosphinic Ester (S) to N-Formyl Acid Phosphinic Ester (P)

The reaction mixture was prepared by mixing 800 μL of assay buffer with 100 μL of the nitrilase solution recovered as described in Example 1 (giving a total protein concentration of 2 mg/mL) and 100 μL of 20 mg/mL N-formyl nitrile solution (dissolved in assay buffer). After stirring at approximately 30° C. for 28 hours, HPLC analysis identified a 24% conversion (at 8 hours an 8% conversion was determined). The peak at about 19 minutes was assigned as the product by comparison with authentic standards and by HPLC analysis.

Example 3 HPLC Analysis of the Reaction Progress

A crude sample from the reaction mixture prepared as described in Example 2 was filtered and 10 μl was injected on a Phenomenex Prodigy 5μ ODS (2) Column (250 mm×4.6 i.d.) equilibrated in 5% methanol/95% (0.1% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in water). The column ran isocratically at 1 mL/min. Both starting material and products were analyzed at 210 nm.

FIG. 2 provides the HPLC analytical results for the reaction mixture. The results show the formation of the n-formyl acid phosphinic ester product as indicated by the peak labeled “(P)”.

Example 4 PREPARATION OF NITRILASE PROTEIN FOR REACTION WITH ETHYL 3-AMINO-3-CYANOPROPYL(METHYL)PHOSPHINATE

A 5 mL LB/Kanamycin (50 μg/mL Kanamycin) solution was inoculated from a frozen glycerol stock of E. coli BL21/pSEA100. After 16 hours of growth at approximately 37° C., 2.5 mL of the culture was transferred to a 1 L baffled shake flask containing 200 mL of LB/Kan and 5 g of glucose. Cells were incubated at approximately 37° C. in a shake oven (200 rpm shaking) to a cell density of OD₆₀₀=1.0 before decreasing the temperature to 25° C. and adding 1 mM of IPTG. After 16 hours of growth following the IPTG induction, cells were harvested via centrifugation at 7,000×g for 20 minutes. The cell pellet was resuspended in 10 mL assay buffer (10 mM potassium phosphate pH 7.5, 1 mM DTT) and cells were lysed by sonication. Cell debris was removed via centrifugation at 35,000×g for 20 minutes and 3 mL of 80% glycerol was added to the clear lysate. The cell lysate was stored at 4° C. for 48 hours.

Example 5 REACTION OF ETHYL 3-AMINO-3-CYANOPROPYL(METHYL)PHOSPHINATE (S) TO N-FORMYL ACID PHOSPHINIC ESTER (P)

In a 5 mL test tube 0.6 mL assay buffer (10 mM potassium phosphate pH 7.5, 1 mM DTT), 10 mg of free aminonitrile substrate (i.e., ethyl 3-amino-3-cyanopropyl(methyl)phosphinate) and 0.4 mL of the pSEA100 lysate prepared as described above in Example 1 were mixed. The progress of the reaction was followed by HPLC analysis after fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (FMOC) derivatization (see below) of the crude reaction mixture. After stirring at 30° C. for 24 hours, a conversion to glufosinate of approximately 21% was achieved.

Example 6 FMOC Derivatization and Analysis

A 100 μL aliquot of the reaction mixture prepared as described in Example 5 was transferred to a clean 5 mL test tube and quenched with 100 μL acetonitrile. The resulting reaction mixture was mixed with 50 μL of FMOC solution (52 mg fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl chloride dissolved in 1 mL acetonitrile) and 2 drops of saturated sodium bicarbonate. This solution was stirred for 30 minutes at 30° C., converting unreacted aminonitrile and glufosinate product to their corresponding FMOC derivatives. The FMOC derivatized mixture was filtered and analyzed on a Phenomenex Prodigy 5μ ODS (2) Column (250 mm×4.6 i.d.) equilibrated in 40% water/60% (0.1% TFA in methanol). The column ran isocratically at 1 mL/min. Both starting material and products were analyzed at 254 nm; the peak at 8.7 min was assigned as FMOC-Glufosinate and the peak at 11.9 min was assigned as FMOC-aminonitrile.

Starting material and product were compared with authentic standards. Under these non-chiral analysis conditions all diastereomers of starting material and product elute in a single peak.

When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiments(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above compositions and processes without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying figures shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Having described the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims. 

1-66. (canceled)
 67. A process for the preparation of a phosphinothricin product or precursor thereof, the process comprising: (a) reacting a compound of Formula III

with a cyanide source and an ammonia source, thereby forming a nitrile-containing substrate of Formula IV;

(b) reacting the nitrile-containing substrate of Formula IV with one or more formylation reagents, thereby producing an N-formyl substrate of Formula V;

(c) contacting in a reaction mixture the N-formyl substrate of Formula V with an enzyme capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of —CN to —COX, wherein X is either —OH or —NH₂, thereby producing a compound of Formula VII

wherein R³ is hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or an agronomically acceptable salt-forming cation; and (d) hydrolyzing the compound of Formula VII to form a phosphinothricin product or precursor thereof.
 68. The process as set forth in claim 67 wherein the one or more formylation reagents are selected from the group consisting of formic acid, acetic anhydride, ethyl formate, N formyl benzotriazole, dichloromethane, and combinations thereof.
 69. The process as set forth in claim 67 wherein the one or more formylation reagents comprise formic acid and acetic anhydride.
 70. The process as set forth in claim 67 wherein the one or more formylation reagents comprise ethyl formate.
 71. The process as set forth in claim 67 wherein the one or more formylation reagents comprise N formyl benzotriazole and dichloromethane.
 72. The process as set forth in claim 67 wherein the formylation reaction is conducted at a temperature from about 0° C. to about 100° C.
 73. The process as set forth in claim 67 wherein R³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or an agronomically acceptable salt-forming cation.
 74. A nitrile-containing compound having the structure of Formula V

wherein R³ is hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or an agronomically acceptable salt-forming cation.
 75. The nitrile-containing compound as set forth in claim 74 wherein R³ is hydrogen.
 76. The nitrile-containing compound as set forth in claim 74 wherein R³ is either substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, or substituted or unsubstituted aryl. 77-81. (canceled)
 82. An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding an enzyme capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of —CN to —COX, wherein X is —OH or —NH₂, wherein the molecule comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, and SEQ ID NO:
 6. 83. The isolated nucleic acid molecule as set forth in claim 82 wherein the enzyme encoded comprises a nitrilase.
 84. A vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of claim
 82. 85. The vector of claim 84 wherein the vector is the plasmid pSEA99 represented by SEQ ID NO:
 7. 86. The vector of claim 84 wherein the vector is the plasmid pSEA100 represented by SEQ ID NO:
 8. 87. A host cell comprising the nucleic acid molecule of claim
 82. 88. A nitrilase protein comprising a polypeptide sequence encoded by the nucleic acid molecule of claim
 83. 89. A vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of claim
 83. 90. A host cell comprising the nucleic acid molecule of claim
 83. 91. A host cell comprising the vector of claim
 84. 